New Beazer Homes in Fort Myers and Tampa, Florida Plagued with Water Damage and Black Mold

Newly constructed homes have water damage and mold just like old homes. This story about several homeowners who purchased their brand new homes built by Beazer Homes in Fort Myers and Tampa, Florida proves it.

Hundreds of homeowners have been plagued by water damage and mold over the last several years. The process to get the problems fixed has been a long and drawn out process. All the while, they are most likely being exposed to toxic mold at high levels that may have lasting and life long health consequences.

CBS Wink News is reporting: “Edward Gatlin thought he was getting a great deal on his home.

Speakers in the ceiling. A backyard pool.

But then water started seeping through his walls.

“They (kept) saying that water was getting inside from the rain or moisture,” he said. “Whatever is going on with that, so they’re supposed to correct it, so we’ll see what happens after that.”

Gatlin is among hundreds of Lee County residents whose homes have suffered from black mold and crumbling materials due to a stucco installation mistake.

The issue is with the stucco installed in houses built by Beazer Homes in Fort Myers and Tampa between 2004 and 2008, primarily in two-story residences where the second floor has exterior stucco walls built over wood frames.

“We have developed a comprehensive plan that includes inspection for possible water intrusion, and for any effects on the exterior and interior of the homes, including mold,” Beazer Homes said in a statement. “We then conduct any repair work indicated by the inspection.”

As of Dec. 2015, the company has spent $30 million to fix the issue at 279 homes with additional repairs either already scheduled or underway, according to recent numbers provided by Beazer, which described the number of affected residences as a “relatively small portion” of the homes they’ve built in Florida. Each property can cost up to $100,000 to fix, which includes living expenses for residents forced to relocate, the company said.

But getting Beazer to make repairs has been challenging, homeowner David Del Rio said.

“It’s taken a long process though,” he said. “We’re talking like 6-7 months, and they originally told us like two or three so it’s been a long haul.”